The 18th Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions has just ended in Nay Pyi Taw with award presentation by the state to successful performers in the national-level contest.

The Myanmar traditional cultural performing arts competitions were aimed to ensure emergence of new generations of artists and musicians who work for uplifting national prestige and integrity as well as safeguarding cultural heritage and national character.

Over 2,000 contestants participated in this year's competitions which started on Oct. 15, and over 500 of the competitors were awarded.

In the singing contest, contestants competed with Myanmar classical songs and folk songs, while in the dancing contest, participants showed exquisite skill based on Myanmar traditional choreography.

Talented artistes have emerged in musical-instrument-playing contests and song-composing contests, displaying manual and mental dexterity.

Drama contest and marionette contest have also presented audiences both with knowledge and aesthetic. Drama contest could portray physical, intellectual and moral development of youths as the power of the future nation. Ozi and Dobet (Myanmar traditional drum set ) contests could also depict joyousness, honest and polite rivalry and unity.

Being difficult, profound and subtle, Myanmar cultural arts have developed with intertwining branches of arts -- singing, dancing, song-composing and musical-instrument playing, all of which can also stand as separate branches. Artistes have contributed to Myanmar's fine arts with their gifted ability, experience and creation.

Myanmar has been staging performing arts competitions yearly since 1993 with a view to revitalize Myanmar's traditional cultural performing arts which have been preserved by artistes of successive periods. The competitions attracted thousands of youth contestants every year in contests of songs, dances, composition, music playing at different stages such as professional, amateur, higher education and basic education levels.

Myanmar traditional literature, verses, poems and music are still alive now, deeply-rooted in the heart of the people.

"The onus is on senior artistes and artistes of new generation to develop and flourish Myanmar traditional fine arts while preventing it from vanishing with the elapse of time and under the wave of alien culture," the editorial of state media, the New Light of Myanmar, warned Thursday.

In the coming years, a plan has been set to add Anyeint -- non- dramatic performance where a female artiste dances and sings to the accompaniment of light music and is usually supported by comedians, and consecration narration events into coming competitions.

Myanmar has its own style, traditions and customs as well as national characteristics.

Centuries-long Myanmar traditional culture reflects the glory and dignity of the state and high nationalistic spirit. In comparison with the world civilization, Myanmar's civilization still features such characteristics as Myanmar's own style and national culture and character.